Essential Glen Powell Movies to Watch From Top Gun Maverick to Twisters

Glen Powell has rapidly ascended to the peak of Hollywood’s A-list, filling a void for the classic, charismatic leading man that many felt was disappearing from the modern cinematic landscape. After years of grinding in supporting roles and minor cameos, Powell’s "overnight success" was actually nearly two decades in the making. Today, he is recognized for his unique ability to balance high-octane action, sharp-witted comedy, and genuine romantic chemistry.

If you are looking for the best Glen Powell movies, his filmography is surprisingly diverse. From playing iconic historical figures like John Glenn to portraying a morally flexible fake assassin, Powell has built a body of work that appeals to both popcorn-munching audiences and discerning critics.

The Definitive Breakthrough: Top Gun Maverick and the Birth of a Star

While Powell had been active since the early 2000s, 2022 marked the definitive turning point in his career. His portrayal of Lt. Jake "Hangman" Seresin in Top Gun: Maverick didn't just showcase his physical screen presence; it demonstrated his ability to steal scenes from established legends.

Why Hangman Was a Career-Defining Role

Originally, Powell auditioned for the role of Rooster, which eventually went to Miles Teller. However, Tom Cruise and the producers were so impressed by Powell’s energy that they offered him the role of Hangman. Powell initially hesitated, fearing the character was too one-dimensional and "arrogant." It was only after a personal pitch from Cruise about how to craft a memorable "movie star" character that Powell accepted.

In our analysis of his performance, Powell managed to channel the same competitive tension that Val Kilmer’s Iceman brought to the original 1986 film, but with a modern, smirk-heavy swagger. The shirtless beach football scene became an instant cultural touchstone, but it was his character’s ultimate redemption during the third act that proved Powell could handle complex emotional beats amidst the roar of jet engines.

Impact on the Box Office

Top Gun: Maverick became a global phenomenon, grossing over $1.4 billion. It served as the ultimate platform for Powell, proving he could thrive in a high-stakes blockbuster environment without being overshadowed by the spectacle of the film itself.

The King of the Modern Romantic Comedy

In an era where many claimed the "Rom-Com" was dead or relegated to streaming platforms, Glen Powell single-handedly helped revive the genre for theatrical audiences.

Anyone But You (2023)

Paired with Sydney Sweeney, Powell starred in this R-rated romantic comedy that defied all box office expectations. Despite mixed critical reviews initially, the film became a sleeper hit, grossing over $200 million worldwide.

What makes Anyone But You essential viewing is the palpable chemistry between the leads. In a world of sterile, CGI-heavy films, audiences gravitated toward the old-fashioned "enemies-to-lovers" trope performed by two actors who looked and felt like genuine movie stars. Powell’s performance as Ben showcased his comedic timing and his willingness to be the butt of the joke, a key trait that makes his "alpha male" persona accessible.

Set It Up (2018)

Long before the big-screen success of Anyone But You, Powell was winning hearts on Netflix with Set It Up. Playing Charlie Young, an overworked assistant who teams up with Zoey Deutch to "parent-trap" their demanding bosses, Powell displayed a softer, more neurotic side. The film remains one of the highest-rated romantic comedies on streaming services, largely due to the electric banter between Powell and Deutch. If you want to see the roots of his leading-man charm, this is where to start.

The Linklater Connection: Hit Man and Creative Evolution

One of the most impressive aspects of Glen Powell’s career is his ongoing collaboration with visionary director Richard Linklater. These films often represent Powell’s most critically acclaimed work, where he is allowed to flex his muscles as both an actor and a writer.

Hit Man (2023): A Tour de Force Performance

In Hit Man, Powell doesn't just act; he co-wrote the screenplay alongside Linklater. Based on a true story, the film features Powell as Gary Johnson, a mild-mannered professor who discovers a hidden talent for posing as a professional hitman for police sting operations.

This film is perhaps the best showcase of Powell’s range. Throughout the movie, he adopts multiple personas—ranging from a refined British assassin to a redneck killer—complete with different accents, wigs, and temperaments. The film received a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Powell’s "chameleon-like" ability. It proved that he wasn't just a "pretty face" but a serious talent with a sharp mind for narrative structure and character development.

Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Linklater’s spiritual successor to Dazed and Confused features Powell in an ensemble cast of college baseball players in 1980s Texas. As Finnegan, Powell is the philosophical, fast-talking heart of the group. While he isn't the main protagonist, he is undoubtedly the standout character. The role required a specific type of charismatic intelligence that few actors can pull off without seeming pretentious, and Powell nailed it.

Conquering the Summer Blockbuster: Twisters (2024)

If Top Gun: Maverick was his introduction and Anyone But You was his romantic validation, Twisters (2024) was the film that solidified Glen Powell as a solo box office draw.

Playing Tyler Owens, a self-proclaimed "Tornado Wrangler" and YouTube sensation, Powell stepped into a massive franchise revival and made it his own. Unlike the 1996 original, which relied heavily on the ensemble and the special effects, the 2024 sequel put Powell’s Tyler Owens front and center.

The character is a masterclass in subverting expectations. Initially presented as a loud, fame-seeking thrill-seeker, he is revealed to have a deep knowledge of meteorology and a philanthropic heart. The success of Twisters—opening to over $80 million in the US—proved that Powell could carry a major tentpole film on his shoulders, appealing to both domestic and international markets.

Dramatic Range: Hidden Figures and Devotion

While he is often celebrated for his charm, Powell has also delivered powerful performances in historical and biographical dramas.

Hidden Figures (2016)

In this Academy Award-nominated film about the Black female mathematicians at NASA, Powell played John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. It was a pivotal role that required him to embody an American hero with humility and grace. His performance was crucial in ground the film’s historical stakes, showing the respect and trust Glenn placed in Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson).

Devotion (2022)

Released shortly after Top Gun: Maverick, Devotion is a more somber and reflective look at naval aviation. Powell played Tom Hudner, a real-life pilot during the Korean War who risked his life to save his wingman, Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors). Powell also served as an executive producer, spending years trying to get the film made. His performance here is restrained and noble, focusing on the quiet bond of brotherhood rather than the adrenaline of dogfighting.

The Early Career: Minor Roles You Might Have Missed

Long before he was a household name, Glen Powell appeared in some of the biggest franchises in cinema history, often in blink-and-you'll-miss-it roles.

1. Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003): One of his first professional roles was as "Long-Fingered Boy." It’s a fun piece of trivia for fans to see a teenage Powell in Robert Rodriguez’s colorful world.
2. The Dark Knight Rises (2012): Powell has a small but memorable scene as a stockbroker during the sequence where Bane (Tom Hardy) attacks the Gotham Stock Exchange. He is the one who tells Bane, "This is a stock exchange, there's no money you can steal," only for Bane to deliver a chilling response.
3. The Expendables 3 (2014): Powell played Thorn, a tech-savvy mercenary recruited by Sylvester Stallone’s character. This was his first real exposure to the "action hero" genre, working alongside legends like Schwarzenegger and Harrison Ford.
4. Fast Food Nation (2006): Another early collaboration with Richard Linklater, showing that their professional relationship spans nearly two decades.

Upcoming Glen Powell Projects to Watch For

The momentum isn't slowing down. Powell has several high-profile projects in various stages of production that will likely define the next few years of his career.

The Running Man (2025)

Directed by Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead), this is a new adaptation of the Stephen King novel. Powell will play Ben Richards, a man forced into a deadly televised game show where he must survive professional assassins. This project is highly anticipated as it combines Powell’s action chops with Wright’s stylized direction.

Chad Powers (2025)

Powell is moving into television with a starring role in Chad Powers, a comedy series he also co-created and produced. Based on a popular Eli Manning sketch, Powell plays a disgraced college quarterback who disguises himself to join a struggling Southern football team. This project allows him to return to his comedic roots while exercising his creative control as a producer.

How to Make a Killing (2026)

This project is rumored to be a dark thriller where Powell plays a "bad guy" role, a departure from his usual heroic or charming characters. It highlights his desire to keep audiences guessing and avoid being typecast.

Categorized Glen Powell Movie List

To help you decide what to watch next, here is a categorized breakdown of his most significant film work.

Why Glen Powell Is the Modern Movie Star

Analyzing Powell’s rise reveals a specific strategy: he understands the "business" of being a star as much as the "art" of acting. He doesn't shy away from being a "celebrity," often engaging in playful press tours and maintaining a high level of fitness that suits the roles he takes.

However, unlike the movie stars of the 90s, Powell is deeply involved in the production side. By writing and producing (as seen with Hit Man and Devotion), he ensures that he has a say in the quality of the projects he leads. This duality—the "slick everyman" appeal mixed with a "hard-working creator" ethos—is why he has managed to capture the zeitgeist so effectively.

Whether he is flying a fighter jet, chasing a F5 tornado, or trying to secure a second date in a romantic comedy, Glen Powell brings a consistent level of energy and professionalism that makes his movies inherently watchable.

Summary of the Glen Powell Cinematic Journey

• The Early Years (2003–2014): Building a foundation with small roles in big films (Spy Kids, Dark Knight Rises).
• The Breakthrough (2015–2021): Gaining recognition in indie hits (Everybody Wants Some!!) and streaming favorites (Set It Up).
• The Superstardom (2022–Present): Establishing himself as a global lead with Top Gun: Maverick, Hit Man, and Twisters.
• The Future: Expanding into writing and producing with The Running Man and Chad Powers.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Glen Powell Movies

What was Glen Powell's breakout role?

While he had several notable roles, most critics and fans consider his performance as Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick (2022) as his true global breakout role. Before that, Set It Up (2018) was his breakout in the streaming world.

Is Glen Powell in any superhero movies?

He has a very small role in The Dark Knight Rises (2012) as a stock trader. While he hasn't starred as a superhero yet, he is frequently mentioned in fan-casting for roles like Green Lantern or Booster Gold in the DC Universe.

Did Glen Powell actually fly the planes in Top Gun: Maverick?

Like the rest of the cast, Powell underwent rigorous flight training and filmed his scenes in the cockpit of actual F/A-18 fighter jets while they were in the air to ensure the physical realism of G-forces on his face.

Does Glen Powell write his own movies?

Yes, he is an accomplished writer. He co-wrote the screenplay for Hit Man (2023) with Richard Linklater and is also a co-creator and writer for his upcoming series Chad Powers.

What are the best Glen Powell movies on Netflix?

Currently, his most popular films on Netflix include Hit Man, Set It Up, and the war drama Sand Castle. Availability may vary by region.

What is Glen Powell's highest-rated movie?

According to Rotten Tomatoes, his highest-rated film is Top Gun: Maverick (96%), followed closely by Hit Man (95%) and Hidden Figures (93%).